Loud-speaker announcing system



2 Sheets-Sheet l` ln a May 13, 1947. c. H. CAPP LOUD SPEAKER ANNOUNCING SYSTEM I Filed sept. 29, 1945 INVENToR.

A1'I'CI R N EYB BY v `May 13, 1947. C, H, CAPP 2,420,461

LOUD SPEAKER ANNOUNCING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 29, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l ff j C) C) CZarZeSE a,

I 1N VEN TOR.

ATTCIRNEYS Patented May 13, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,420,461 LOUD-SPEAKER ANNOUNCIN'G sifsfrniu"l Charles H. Cam,- `Pliiladelp'hia,M Pa. Application september 29, 1943, serial No. 04,3055

- claims. (o1. 179-1) My invention relates to sound systems, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved remote control.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating the switch of the system arranged for foot actuation, as by a baseball umpire;

Figure 2 is a sectional View of the foot-operated switch;

Figure' 3 is a tdp'view;

Figure 4 is' a view of a portion of the footoperated switch; Y

Figure 5 is a View illustrating the manner in which the switch actuator is harnessed to the foot;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a different type of switch;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary View of a switch actuator designed for coaction with the switch of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of an electric circuit adapted for actuation through the medium of my switch structure.

In the embodiment selected for illustration, Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a switch structure I6 made up of a, block I2 of insulating material and a block I4 of similar material secured thereto by screws I6. The wires I8 and 26 of the circuit to be controlled are respectively attached to conductors 22 incorporated in the block I2. Both blocks I2 and I4 are recessed at 24 for accommodating the wires I8 and'20, which wires are assembled as la cord 26 exteriorly of the switch structure.

Each conductor 22 comprises a copper tube 28 lled with copper wool 3U. A brass plug 32 is secured in the lower end of each tube 28, which plugs have threaded openings for the reception of terminal screws 34 to which the wires I8 and 26 are respectively connected. Copper or brass contact plates 36 are positioned on the faces 38 of the block I2; which faces incline downwardly toward the center of the block. The plates 36 are respectively connected with the upper ends of the tubes 28 and have plugs 40 extending into the tubes to provide a more secure connection although the plates are preferably additionally secured to the tubes by soldering.

Figure 8 illustrates an electric circuit including an amplifier 42 with which the wires I8 and 26 are electrically connected, the ampliner being operatively connected with a loud speaker 44 through the medium of wires 46. The ampliiier may be connected with a source of current (not shown) through the medium of line wires 48.

CII

2 The microphone 5I] includes wires 52 respectively connected with terminals 54 engageable with the plates 36 to electrically connect the microphone with the sound system. y v .p

In Figures 2 and 5, the terminals' 54' are xedly secured to a brace 55 comprising a leathers'trap 56 ibelfldable to a generally U-shaped contour vto have snug iitting engagement with thesha'nk structure of the' shoe58` off Figure 5. To the ends of the strap v56 are pivotally attached plates 60, as at 62, which plates have attaching straps 64 and E6' pivotally connected therewith as at 68 and l5). Each' Strap is' provided with a buckle' 'I2 so that the strap 56 may b e drawn tightly to the shoe. The wiresv 52 of Figurev 8 are respectively connected with the' plates 6U and are assembled in a cord 'I4'. see Figure 2, which cord may extend through one of the trouser legs for connection with the microphone 50. Wires 'I5 electrically connect the respective plates with the terminals 54.

Figure 1 illustrates the microphone as being mounted in a conventional umpires mask 16. Thus the umpire may talk into the microphone and control the sound system through manipulation of the terminals 54 with respect to the plates 36. The circuit is closed by bringing the terminals 54 into engagement with the plates 36. The annular mounting of the plates 36 provides a trough-like conguration which permits the umpire to easily maintain the terminals 54 in proper relationship with the plates 36 through the sense of touch. Terminal screws 'I8 are attached tothe plates 6E] for connection with the wires 52.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the switch structure as being substantially embedded in the earth so that the forepart of the foot may rest on the earth and pivot thereon for making and breaking the circuit.

Both blocks I2 and I4 are provided with copper mesh 82 to prevent outside interference and to ground if necessary. The cords 'I4 and 26 are encased in Vcopper wire mesh while the copper wool 36 is employed for sensitive contact purposes. Figure 1 illustrates the cord 26 as being located underground to eliminate interference with the players.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a diierent form of switch structure 82 wherein an insulative floor mat 84 is provided with two copper conductors 86 adapted to be electrically engaged by terminals B8 attached to a strap 9|] corresponding to the strap 56. Conductors 86 may be Woven into the mat 84. The switch structure of Figure 6 is 3 particularly well suited for inside lecture service.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

1. In a system of the type described a brace removeably attachable to a shoe of a person comprising adjustable straps engageable under the instep of the shoe and about the arch and heel, contacts carried by the brace adapted to contact electrical terminals, a member engageable with the shank structure of the shoe, plate elements pivotally connected with said member, and removable attaching straps secured to said plate elements, said plate elements electrically connecting the electrical lterminals with said contacts.

2. The invention described in claim 1 wherein said terminals are mounted in an insulative body and in which the terminals have plates engageable with said contacts and arranged in downwardly converging relationship to provide a trough-like conguration to facilitate rotation of the contacts on the plates.

3. The invention described in claim 1 wherein said terminals are mounted in an insulative body and in which the terminals have plates engageable with said contacts and arranged in downwardly converging relationship to provide a trough-like conguration to facilitate rotation of the contacts on the plates, said terminals including tubular members, and metallic wool con- 'ductor material in the tubular members.

4. The invention described in claim 1 wherein an insulative body is provided for said terminals, said insulative body comprising a rst section and a second section, said rst section being provided with openings and said terminals including conductor members extending through said openings, means for connecting the conductors with the loud speaker circuit, said means lying adjacent one face of said first section, said second section comprising a cover for said means, and means detachably connecting the second section with the rst section.

5. In a system of the type described, a brace for detachable connection with a shoe, said brace comprising a leather strap generally U-shaped in contour for removably tting the shank structure of the shoe exteriorly thereof, plates pivotally connected with the ends of said strap, electrical terminals secured to said strap having electrical connections With terminal screws on said plates and a pair of removable and adjustable attaching straps pivotally connected with the respective plates.

CHARLES H. CAPP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,768,207 Lumpkin et al June 24, 1930 1,137,060 Kellum Apr. 27, 1915 1,940,491 Freitag Dec. 19, 1933 1,550,269 Lancot Aug. 18, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 369,051 Germany Feb. 14, 1923 8,940 Great Britain Dec. 11, 1913 291,601 Germany June 5, 1916 

